Type Erasure

Type Erasure — The Java generics implementation strategy in which most generic type parameters are removed from runtime representation after compile-time type checking.

JVM Runtime Context

Erasure preserves binary compatibility but limits runtime inspection of concrete generic arguments. It explains bridge methods, unchecked casts, why new T() is unavailable, and why frameworks sometimes require explicit type tokens or ParameterizedTypeReference-like constructs.

Related JVM Concepts

• Generics
• Reflection
• type token
• bridge method